Already own a business in Downtown Frederick? We can’t wait to help you grow!

From continuing education opportunities to grant programs that will help you take that next step toward success, Downtown Frederick Partnership is committed to supporting the many small businesses that make our community thrive.

Facade Improvement

The Partnership can offer you up to $10,000 to upgrade your Downtown Frederick building facade. Interested?

The process is easy! Fill out the one page application and you are on your way to a matching grant for your facade improvement. The Partnership will provide 50 percent of the facade improvement costs up to a maximum grant amount of $10,000. Grants can be provided to either the property owner or the tenant/business owner.

The project must be approved prior to beginning work. Painting, awnings, lighting, signage and other projects are eligible for funding.The grants are available to commercial building facades in Downtown Frederick: including, but not limited to, Market Street between South and Seventh Streets, Patrick Street between Bentz and Wisner Streets and in Everedy Square/Shab Row. See application for project details or call the Partnership office at 301.698.8118 for more information.

Competitive Edge

The Competitive Edge Series provides business owners with the tools they need to improve their business and help grow their success. The Partnership knows that small businesses do not have easy access to training to continually sharpen their competitive edge. This series helps to fill that gap.

Sessions are held on the third Tuesday of each month, January through May, with workshops focusing on topics of interest to entrepreneurs. NEW this year is our Competitive Edge at Night series, which are evening crash-course sessions led by local professionals. Each Competitive Edge workshop is offered at no cost to businesses throughout Frederick County.

Mission: Interior

Through its Mission: Interior program, the Partnership can offer up to $5,000 in matching grants to improve the interior of your retail business. Interested in applying? The application for the 2018 Mission: Interior grant round is now open.

Eligible business owners and/or building owners can apply for up to 50% of the cost of their improvement project. Applications which provide greater than a 50% match are more competitive. The maximum grant request is $5,000. The minimum grant request is $500.

Who can apply for funding?

Mission: Interior is focused on improving retail spaces. Locations that house either retail shops or restaurants are eligible for funding. Either building owners or store owners with authorization from the property owner can apply for funding. See the application for complete details.

Each year, the Partnership tackles strategic initiatives to bring more residents and employees to Downtown Frederick, offers an exciting season of events and works closely with downtown businesses and partners to continue to strengthen and improve Downtown Frederick.